The 2020 Honda Africa Twin features significant updates to make both it, and the Adventure Sports version, lighter, more powerful and easier to ride.
Originally introduced as the XRV650 back in 1988, the modern version of the dual-sports bike returned after a 13 year break in 2016 as the parallel-twin CRF1000L. And motorcyclists seem to have appreciated it, buying more than 87,000 Africa Twins over the last three years.
So what’s different with the 2020 Honda Africa Twin?
The Euro5 compliant engine will now have a larger 1084cc displacement, up from 998cc. It’s the result of a longer 81.5mm stroke and 10.1:1 compression ratio. And gives an increase to 75kW peak power at 7,500rpm, plus peak torque up to 105Nm at 6,250rpm.
The engine is also 2.5kg lighter with manual transmission, while the Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) version gets a 2.2kg diet. The smaller, slimmer power unit still retains the 270 degree phased crankshaft and uneven firing interval to help with traction, but it now has aluminium cylinder sleeves, aligned bore and cylinder pthces, a new ECU setting, and a Unicam valve train derived from the Honda CRF450R motocross racer.
There’s also road-influenced changes, with the exhaust now featuring a variable Exhaust Control Valve similar to the unit found on the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade.
All of this should mean that the lighter, more powerful engine still has character, sounds good, and is also easier to use with between power and torque throughout the rev range. Plus ‘assist’ cams to help with shifting up through the gears, and ‘slipper’ cams for downshifting. A Quickshifter is also available as an optional extra.
The Africa Twin range got Throttle by Wire for 2018, but it now gets a six-axis IMU to offer 4 power levels and 3 levels of engine braking, in addition to seven levels of Honda Selectable Torque Control. The default settings are Tour, Urban, Gravel and Off-Road, but you also get two customisable settings to mess around as much as you like, which also lets you control ABS, the three levels of Wheelie Control, and the DCT S mode shift pattern.
Fortunately the cornering, ABS, wheelie control, rear lift control, cornering detection, Apple CarPlay and Bluetooth connectivity are all controlled via a new full colour 6.5inch touch screen display. And you also get cruise control as standard.
Getting away from the electronics, the frame has been reworked to be 1.8kg lighter, with more rigidity around the steering head. A new bolt-on aluminium subframe means it’s 40mm slimmer (195mm width), and the frame as a whole is 1.8kg lighter. The aluminium swingarm is CRF450R inspired, and also saved 500g of weight.
Which means you get a total wet weight of 226kg, with a 1575mm wheelbase. And the 2020 Honda Africa Twin keeps a 250mm ground clearance.
The front suspension are 45mm Showa with 230mm of stroke length. And they’re fully-adjustable for rebound and compression damping. The rear Showa has 220mm axle travel. Braking still comes from two-piece radial-moutn four-piston calipers and dual 310mm wave discs at the front, and a 256mm disc at the rear.
Tyres are Continental with a 90/90-21 front and 150/70-18 rear.
Finishing off is the new rally-style bodywork. The seight height is still 850-870mm, but the handlebars are now 22.5mm higher to give a more upright riding position. And the seat is 40mm narrower. The accessories list also includes lower 825-845mm and higher 875-895mm seats
Speaking of accessories, you can also add a premium 42L aluminium top box and panniers, or a large 58L plastic luggage set. And there are the usual options for dual sports motorcycles, including a touring screen, radiator guards, engine guards, heated grips etc.
The 2020 Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports
The Advanture Sports version of the 2020 Honda Africa Twin features all of the above updates. But it also adds some practical additions if you’re intending to ride around the world.
You get a larger 24.8 litre fual tank, extended wind protection from the fairing and side panels, height-adjustable screen, large engine sump guard, aluminium rear carrer, and tubeless tyres. As standard, you also get some heated grips and an ACC charger, plus the option to add the Showa EERA suspension with the default modes for Soft, Mid, Hard and Off-Road, plus a User custom mode.
The system lets you make changes while the bike is stationary, but also adapts as speed changes and depending on the riding mode.
2020 Honda Africa Twin Prices
So how much does all this cost?
So the standard manual transmission 2020 Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin will set you back £13,049. Or £159 per month for three years with a £2,729.22 PCP deposit at 6.9% APR through Honda finance.
Want the DCT option? Then it’ll be £13,949.
The 2020 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin Adventure Sports starts at £14,649. Add DCT and you’ll pay £16,049, but throw on the electronic Showa suspension, and the Honda CRF 1000L DTC Adventure Sports ES clocks in at £17,349.
Fancy something cheaper for off-roading? There are 30 years of Honda Africa Twin to suit pretty much every budget available on eBay right now.
In the meantime, check out some more detail pics in the 2020 Honda Africa twin gallery below.
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